Mikel Oyarzabal don show again say na final match specialist. The Real Sociedad captain score penalty for 45th minute wey give am sixth goal for final matches throughout im career. This one happen for La Cartuja stadium as Real Sociedad dey face Atlético de Madrid for 2026 Copa del Rey final.
Na im penalty kick make am equalizer for first half. This goal follow pattern wey Oyarzabal don set since 2021. That year, na im penalty give Real Sociedad their last Copa del Rey trophy after dem beat Athletic Club. That match happen for same La Cartuja stadium on 3rd April 2021.
Oyarzabal talk say im no dey think about that 2021 goal now. “All of us dey think about the team collective,” im explain. “That one go help us more for victory.” The captain admit say im dey nervous but im see am as sign of excitement.
For im career, Oyarzabal don play six finals total. After that 2021 Copa del Rey win, im score for Olympic final against Brazil for August 2021. That match for Tokyo 2020 Olympics wey dem postpone because of Covid-19 pandemic.
October 2021, im score again for UEFA Nations League final against France. Spain take lead through im goal but eventually lose 2-1. Then for Euro 2024 final on 14th July, Oyarzabal score winning goal for 86th minute. That goal give Spain their fourth European championship title.
Last final before this Copa del Rey na for June 2025 UEFA Nations League against Portugal. Oyarzabal collect pass from Pedri and score with first-time shot. Spain eventually lose on penalties but fight till end.
Real Sociedad coach Rino Matarazzo talk say Oyarzabal dey in very good form. “Na our captain, im na incredible leader,” the American coach say. Matarazzo add say the whole city of San Sebastián and Guipúzcoa region dey support the team with special energy.
Oyarzabal represent the feeling of belonging wey football dey lose gradually. Im na one of those academy boys wey grow for the club and spend their whole life there. “We get opportunity to win trophy again with club of our life,” im talk. “The club wey many of us don dey since we be small pikin.”
The captain remember how 2020 Copa del Rey final against Athletic Club get postpone to 2021 because of Covid-19. That match eventually play without fans for stadium. Oyarzabal say im want return that excitement wey fans experience from far distance.
For this current final, Oyarzabal wear captain armband wey carry all the feeling of Real Sociedad supporters. That thing wey miss for 2021 when im score the winning penalty. The previous Copa del Rey win before that happen for 1987 against Atlético de Madrid – before Oyarzabal and im teammates born.
Matarazzo talk say im quick understand Oyarzabal importance for the team. “No hard at all,” im explain. “Na the most recognizable footballer outside, top scorer for Spanish national team since Luis de la Fuente become coach, and the man wey score winning goal for last Euro.”
Oyarzabal current form dey very strong. Im remain key player for both Real Sociedad and Spanish national team. With six final goals now for im record, fans dey expect say more go come as im career continue.
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